General query: how many people out there have actually had to use their food
storage because of a natural disaster? Given that such a high percentage of
natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, etc.) require evacuation (and you
can't take your food storage with you), isn't it better to store money
rather than food?

I haven't used my food storage because of a
natural disaster (thank goodness). However, I don't think it is a money vs
food proposition -- having both can be prudent since we are uncertain what will
happen in the future. Food storage can also also serve if you lose a job and not
just for natural disasters.

Keep in mind money may not be as valuable
as we want it to be during the worst of times. For example, if the supermarket
already got cleared out because of mass purchases, or if the store got destroyed
(natural disaster) or completely looted.

What good will money do if
you cannot buy anything with it, or if another person doesn't accept it?
Even then, do you know if you can really be relocated/evacuated during a
catastrophic event where money can be used? I don't know and I personally
wouldn't bet on that.

I did not say it was an either/or proposition... of course it
would be great to have both (along with multiple houses, yachts, jet planes,
etc.). I did suggest that one option, for those with limited resources is much
better than the other though. It's crazy to keep less than a 72-hour supply
of food (along with first aid supplies and enough water to last many days). But
to plow a lot of money into food storage without recognizing that that very same
food storage will be destroyed (by fire, flood, etc.) or be wholly worthless to
you in the case of evacuation is just plain bad advice. And I hope that
you're not seriously implying that food is better than money (which may be
spent on food AND other necessities) when one loses a job.

So I will
put you down in the "haven't used food storage in a natural
disaster" column. I haven't yet either, but I did have to abandon it
in a natural disaster once.

Sorry to hear you had to abandon the food
storage. That is unfortunate. Maybe it's not a total waste since you
developed personal discipline to be self-reliant. That kind of character is
worthwhile in any circumstance. It's also tough to protect against all
risks, so I suppose you just need to do what you can within your means.

In general, I would prefer food storage / supplies over money for major
catastrophes (assuming it doesn't get destroyed), but not for a job loss
necessarily. My thoughts were mainly if I am out of a job, and I already have
food storage, I don't need to spend what little money I may have left. Just
one less expense to worry about.

As for relocating/evacuating
(assuming the storage isn't destroyed), that's why I primarily have
lighter-weight food items since they're easier to transport/carry. I have
freeze dried stuff and MREs -- very light weight for the most part. Granted,
freeze dried food needs water (which is heavy), but you can still eat
freeze-dried stuff, as is, if you get desperate. Freeze-died stuff in a can is
also somewhat protected.

It's very well possible that in the event of a disaster, we may be unable
to use the resources we store for such emergencies. But it is also quite
possible that we will one day be in a position to use them after all. More
importantly, we've been called on by authorities speaking on behalf of God
to be well-prepared in such matters, at which point it's not merely a
practical concern, but a charge of obedience.

I mean, they really
have nothing to gain by having us go through the cost and slight-at-most
inconvenience of storing food and other emergency supplies unless "The Man
Upstairs" weren't suggesting we do so, entirely for our benefit. It
also instills in me an esteem-boosting sense of self-sufficiency.